Cess on taxis: SC notice to Himachal govt

R Sedhuraman

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 22

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to Himachal Pradesh government on a plea against environment cess on taxis plying between Manali and Rohtang pass.

A vacation Bench of Justices AK Sikri and UU Lalit sought the state government's response within three days to the petition by the HIM Aanchal Taxi Operators Union.

The Union has challenged the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposing a cess of Rs 2,500 on diesel vehicles and Rs 1,000 on petrol taxis for each trip between Manali and Rohtang Pass.

Appearing for the Union, senior advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija said the cess had affected the livelihood of 1,500 taxi drivers and their families.

The taxi drivers had income only for three months when tourists visited the area during the summer season.

The tourists could not afford the hefty cess and as such were not taking taxis to Rohtang Pass, directly affecting the taxi drivers, she said.

The bench, however, refused to stay the NGT order, observing that it wanted to hear the state before passing any interim order.

The Bench will hear the case again on May 26.